Author's Note:
JAXA: Japan's equivalence of NASA.
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“It’s me. Inuyasha.”
Kagome’s hand tightened around the receiver so tightly that her knuckles turned white. The roaring in her ears threatened to swallow all reasons and logic. Her first inclination was to scream at Inuyasha, rail at his gall to speak to her in such a casual way that suggested intimacy.
How dare you.
After five years of not hearing from him, suddenly: It’s me?
But Kagome took a deep breath and stopped.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Sesshōmaru coming out of the kitchen. Her expression must have alerted him that something was not right. He stopped by the corner of the dining table, his eyes searching as he stared at her. With a tiny lift of one eyebrow, he seemed to ask the question: ‘Are you alright?’
Wordlessly, Kagome brought the phone receiver to her husband and pressed it against his chest.
… …
Sesshōmaru watched Kagome making her way upstairs, stiff and silent. He had heard the phone ring and heard Kagome’s cheerful voice when she picked up. And then, there was only silence. When he saw his wife upon exiting the kitchen, it was as though someone had switched off the bright light inside her.
Even without asking, he could surmise what was happening.
Sighing inwardly, he put the receiver to his ear.
“Inuyasha.” The annoyance he felt at his half-brother for ruining the morning mood was difficult to suppress, so he did not try.
Inuyasha was rattled. His voice was rising in irritation as soon as he began to speak. “Why did you have Kagome answering the phone?! Shouldn’t she be lounging on a sofa, pampered as your wife?”
“I did not have her answering the phone,” Sesshōmaru replied coldly. “Kagome is the lady of the house, Inuyasha. She is free to answer the phone if she feels moved to do so.”
There was some unintelligible grumbling from the other side as Sesshōmaru waited for Inuyasha to tell him the reason for the call.
When none came, he asked: “Were you calling to speak to Kagome?”
“No, I wasn’t calling to speak to her. I was looking for you.”
“Then, you should have called my mobile phone.”
“I… forgot that Kagome lives with you now. If I had remembered, I wouldn’t have called the house.”
Sesshōmaru pinched the bridge of his nose. Sometimes, Inuyasha’s dismissiveness grated on his nerves so much that he wished he could reach through the phone to the other side and wring his neck.
Exhaling a silent sigh, he asked: “What can I do for you, Inuyasha?”
“Kikyo and I were wondering… if you guys have decided when you want to come over for dinner.”
Dinner? How were they to manage dinner if the two could not speak to each other on the phone?
“I am leaving it up to Kagome,” Sesshōmaru said, his tone brooked no argument. “We will have dinner if and when she feels comfortable enough to do it.”
“When will that be?”
Sesshōmaru stifled a sigh. “Inuyasha. Five years have passed, and you made not a single contact with Kagome. Now, you are impatient to have dinner?”
There was only silence on the other side.
“If you feel guilty about how things have unfolded,” Sesshōmaru continued. “I suggest you contact her and try to explain yourself. Not under the guise of dinner.”
“I wouldn’t even know where to start,” Inuyasha mumbled.
“Then, I suggest you take some time to think about it and call back when you are more prepared.”
Sesshōmaru returned the receiver where it belonged, disconnecting the call.
Upstairs, the sound of running water and the accompanying scents of her handmade soap confirmed that she was indeed taking a bath.
Sesshōmaru looked into the bathroom. Hot steam rose from the tub. She was using one of her creations: the Winter Bonfire she created based on how she perceived his scents. The smell of woodsy essences and smoke, birch and cypress and dark chocolate filled the air, mixing with the heat to create a fragrance as sultry and intriguing as its maker.
And there she was: sitting inside their free-standing tub, submerged in hot, soapy water with her knees against her chest. His wife was usually a tidy creature. But this morning, the small pile of used clothing by the claw foot of the bathtub betrayed the turmoil she must be feeling inside.
Sesshōmaru took a wide hairbrush and a sea sponge from the vanity table and sat on a stool behind her, picking up the role of a maid to his lady wife.
“That was… quite a shock,” she admitted quietly after three or four brush strokes.
“It was your first real contact with him since you returned from Sengoku Jidai,” he said. “It was bound to be a shock.”
Her shoulders were so stiff for one sitting inside such a warm pool of water. “So. What did he want?”
“He was checking up on the open-ended dinner invitation. To see if we have selected a date.”
Tightening her arms around the knees, she squirmed under the water. “Can’t we postpone it any longer?”
“We can postpone it to eternity, should you choose so.”
She looked up at him, her eyes searching. “Wouldn’t that make things awkward with you and Inuyasha?”
He pondered her question for a while, focusing on brushing out all the tangles in her hair.
“Though my relationship with Inuyasha is much better now than before, it has never been not awkward,” he said. “Kikyō’s presence in his life will ensure it will remain so. Inuyasha and I may continue to see each other whenever he comes to the city or invites me to his part of town. The limited relationship we share should be able to exist outside of you and Kikyō.”
She turned fully and leaned over the edge of the tub, staring at him.
“What about their children?” She asked. “What about your relationship with them? You mentioned the oldest — Ichirō, is it? You mentioned that he is interested in his yōkai heritage and asks you questions whenever he gets an opportunity. They need someone in their lives who can help them understand what it’s all about.”
“As much as I care about them and would like to help, they are not my children,” he said. When she raised her eyebrows, he added: “It may sound harsh, but it is the truth. I have expressed my interest in helping them find their way in this world as individuals with yōkai blood and power, but there is not much I can do when they are minors and their parents insist on standing in their ways.”
“But—“ Kagome bit her lower lip. “They are quarter-yōkai children with no one to help or guide them deal with who they are and the powers they might wield… It just doesn’t seem right.”
Sesshōmaru touched her cheek. “You are kind to worry about them. But, the only way I can have a relationship with my nephews is if their parents approve. Both their parents.”
“And Kikyō despises yōkai so much she wouldn’t let you near her children?”
His low chuckle echoed in the hollowness of the bathroom as he raked his fingers through her hair and massaged her scalp gently.
“Kikyō does not despise yōkai,” he said. A wintry smile curled on his lips. “She merely prefers we do not exist.”
Those words prompted indignation to appear in the fawn depths of her eyes. For him? She turned around and presented her back to him once more, and he continued to sluice warm water over those soft planes.
“Kagome…” He hesitantly said. “I must tell you I did encourage Inuyasha to approach you privately. In the case that he intends to show remorse for his absence in your life since your return.”
The slight jolt of her shoulders indicated her surprise.
“Are you… advocating for Inuyasha?” Kagome asked, turning her head just enough to catch him in the corner of her vision.
“It is not my intention,” he clarified as he picked up the sponge and rubbed her back in circular motions. “But— I cannot be hypocritical when I have made the same mistakes Inuyasha did. I had also avoided you for five years. I was not there for you when you lost your family. I had not been there for you through the years that followed.”
She plunked her chin on her knees and squared her shoulders. “That’s different.”
“Explain how.”
She turned around; her fawn eyes finding his again, fierce and unapologetic. “You love me,” she told him in no uncertain terms. “And he doesn’t.”
Sesshōmaru could not resist a slight smile. Cupping the back of her damp head, he brought their lips together. She smelled like the forests and pine needles and wood essences and everything nice. Moaning softly under his kiss, she parted her mouth, allowing him to sample her flavour once more.
The breasts that pressed against his chest left damp trails on the front lawn of his shirt — not that he cared. Her hands, cool and wet, were on the sides of his neck as they deepened their kiss. You love me. The idea of joining her in the bathtub and showing her just how much teased his brain, but he resisted. There was such a thing as too much, and he had definitely indulged too much in her body for the past three days.
Kagome deserved to rest and to recuperate.
“I do love you,” he said softly when she released him to come up for air. “I do not know what Inuyasha feels for you. Perhaps a different kind of love. But it is for you to decide if you want to find out."
Next, he urged her to settle again in the bathtub. He brushed her hair and washed her back as she soaked in contemplation.
“It might not be realistic to postpone the dinner till eternity,” Kagome slowly admitted. “I hate for them to think I’m too scared to sit on the same table with them. It sounds like I have to face them sooner or later.”
“There is no need to do anything you do not feel ready for,” Sesshōmaru told her. “They have made you wait for five years. Let them wait. If, or when the time ever comes that you do want to see Inuyasha and Kikyō, pick a date and I will pass it on to them.”
She caught his hand just as he was moving away from the bathtub to return the sea-sponge and hairbrush to where they belonged. Her digits played with his index fingers, the soft clinking of their wedding rings breaking the comfortable silence in the bathroom.
“You will be there with me, won’t you?” She asked uncertainly.
He brushed away the wet strands of hair that covered her forehead, lips quirking into a smile that allayed her worries.
“We will face them together,” he promised, leaning over to press a lingering kiss on her forehead before leaving her to finish her bath.
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The next day, Kagome took a morning shift at the store. She had booked an appointment in the afternoon to see her doctor, whom she had not seen in over two years. After the miscarriage, she had developed a particular aversion toward hospitals and medical facilities. But now, as she renewed her commitment to moving past her traumatic experiences, and considering she was sexually active once again, it seemed sensible that she started taking better care of herself.
Sitting in the waiting room, she took a deep breath. The pungent smell of antiseptic she associated with medical clinics never failed to take her back to that time when she admitted herself to the hospital. The weight of the memory used to feel so debilitating. She could do nothing but remain frozen in her spot, cold sweats beading her nape and hairline.
Now, she realized: the panic had ebbed into something distant and manageable, to the point she was able to go through half a magazine before a nurse called her name.
Kagome had always liked her family doctor, who was always friendly and attentive without being too intrusive and overbearing. When the woman spotted the plain gold wedding band on Kagome’s finger, she practically gushed with excitement.
But— when Kagome smiled and began to share that indeed, she was recently married, and to a yōkai, the physician’s demeanour visibly changed.
“You are married to a yōkai?” She repeated, her voice noticeably sharper. Her round eyes widened under those tortoiseshell-rimmed glasses.
Stunned by the sudden tension in the atmosphere, Kagome could only manage a nod and a soft “Yes.”
The doctor leaned back.
“Higurashi-san, I am sorry to inform you I can no longer treat you as a patient,” the physician told her; the tone of voice morphing from amicable to businesslike. “Anyone who is in relationship with a yōkai or an individual of yōkai blood needs to be looked after by a doctor from an approved list. I am not one of those doctors, unfortunately.”
Then, she rummaged through her desk drawer and fished out a card.
“Here are the numbers and directions for the Office of Human-Yōkai Relations. Their office is not too far from here. I suggest you contact them to see what they can do for you.” She passed the business card to Kagome and gave her a cursory smile before she rose to leave. “Good luck. I wish you all the best.”
“Oh. Okay…”
And just like that, Kagome was alone in the office. It was all rather sudden; she was left with an effect somewhat like a whiplash.
Still stupefied, Kagome made her way to the address on the card. As her doctor – or rather, former doctor mentioned, the Office of Human-Yōkai Relations was only one metro stop away. It is located inside one of the high-rise towers in an area with greater concentrations of hospitals, medical clinics, and government buildings.
It was a busy office. The waiting area was full, and a long line of people was waiting in front of the help counter.
Kagome waited for about an hour before she was seen to. Then, after briefly speaking to a female hanyō at the help counter, she learned there was a waitlist for an approved general practitioner for those in relationship with a yōkai, and patients had been on the list for at least a year. Longer, if one preferred a female doctor. When she protested, the office worker looked up at her with a tired and helpless smile, trying her best to be nice even though she was surrounded by a mountain of paperwork and a long line of people waiting to be seen.
“I am really sorry, Miss,” she said. “We are doing the best we can with the number of resources available. Someone from the office will contact you when we have a doctor available for you.”
Kagome chewed on her lower lip, knowing that it was not the office worker’s fault that she was in this predicament.
“I understand,” Kagome told her. “Thank you so much for your help. Let me give you another phone number – a landline – where you can also reach me.”
After leaving her home number, she exited the building, feeling bereft and, frankly, somewhat defeated. Mindlessly, without any particular destination, she joined the other pedestrians strolling down the wide sidewalk of one of the major avenues in Tokyo. Skyscrapers and high-end office buildings flanked the multi-lane avenue, though she was in no right mind to admire her surroundings.
The situation was becoming clear now: because she was married to a yōkai, no regular family doctor could accept her as a patient, and she had to be seen by a doctor from an approved list. And yet, to get one of those doctors, it could take a minimum of one year on the waitlist?
It did not seem very fair, she thought as she paused to sit down on one of the benches that lined the sidewalk. She paid her taxes too, didn’t she, and yet she was as good as being denied healthcare.
It was not until she looked up to take stock of where she was that she realized: she had sat down precisely in front of the yōkai hospital, of which Prince Shinsui was the Medical Director.
She wondered if she could ask the Prince to help.
Kagome knew the possibility of seeing the Inchō — the hospital's Medical Director — without an appointment was most likely minuscule, but she went into the building anyway. There, inside the glass atrium with a soaring ceiling, filled with so much light that a mature tree lived thrivingly in the middle of it, she found a large circular help desk.
She went to speak with the receptionist.
“You would like to see Shinsui Inchō?” The woman repeated, looking a little taken aback.
“Does he accept walk-ins?” Kagome asked, feeling rather silly, knowing the answer even before receiving one.
To the receptionist’s credit, she was cordial, and did nothing to make Kagome feel foolish.
“Unfortunately, Shinsui Inchō’s schedule is very full today, Miss, and walk-in is not possible. May I suggest you contact his office and arrange for an appointment? Here is a card with the phone number and email address.”
No surprises there. Kagome thanked the receptionist and moved away from the desk as she considered her options. As the woman had suggested, she could go home and contact the Prince’s office to request an appointment.
She tapped the card against her lips.
Or… she could shamelessly use her connections to get a meeting today.
She did not want to disturb Sesshōmaru, knowing it was his first day back at the office after a four-day hiatus. He was bound to be busy. And although she knew he would drop everything to assist her no matter how full his day was, she still had another trick up her sleeve.
Quickly, Kagome typed up a text message:
'Rinshō. Do you think you can get me an appointment with Prince Shinsui today?’
He replied within seconds: ‘Difficult but possible. Where are you?’
She texted back: ‘In the lobby of his hospital.’
‘Wait for me. I’ll meet you there in 30 minutes.’
Kagome sat down on one of the plush chairs in the lobby and waited. In precisely thirty minutes, Rinshō strolled in, wearing his usual get-up of suit and tie. He carried a small shopping bag — hot pink with an intricate floral design — that was at odds with sombre outfits.
“I cannot get you an appointment with the Prince, but his assistant can,” he said with a sly grin as soon as he stood in front of Kagome. He handed her the shopping bag.
“Okay, and this is…” She lifted the bag in her hand.
“The Prince’s assistant is exceedingly fond of cakes, particularly this brand. I have already texted her to meet us. When she gets here, give it to her as a gift.”
“You mean as a bribe?”
The Oni hanyō gave her a droll look. “Didn’t you ask for my help, my Lady?” He retorted. “Trust me. An appointment with the Prince could take weeks to book. This way, you’ll get to see him today. Now, if we’re lucky.”
The Prince’s assistant, Ninomiya, was also a hanyō. She looked about Rinshō’s age, perhaps a little older. The Oni hanyō seemed to know her quite well, as their banters were casual, familiar, and borderline flirtatious at the beginning. But, when Rinshō revealed the true reason for their visit, Ninomiya gave them the same answer as the receptionist: Shinsui Inchō was fully booked today and was unable to see Kagome today.
“Doesn’t he usually have a break at 4 o’clock?” Rinshō prodded.
“That is time for him to rest and take a nap if he wishes to, not to see a new patient,” Ninomiya replied defensively.
“You and I both know the Prince does not nap during his nap time.” Rinshō beamed an innocent smile at her. “I’ve seen him play Candy Crush.”
“What the Prince does in his downtime is none of your business, you Ogre!”
“I agree wholeheartedly,” Rinshō said, laughing, ignoring Ninomiya’s obvious irritation at him. “But come on, surely he can spare five minutes to see Lady Kōcho’s daughter-in-law. Look, we even got your favourite treat. I had to line up for twenty minutes for this. It would be such a shame to let it go to waste.”
When Rinshō nudged her, Kagome bowed.
“I realize this is a gross imposition, Ninomiya-san,” she rushed to say. “But if you could somehow squeeze me in for a quick appointment, I would be very thankful. And this—“ She handed over the shopping bag. The scents of sweet cream and vanilla emanated from the box it contained within. “Even if it is impossible to see Inchō today, we still want you to have this. It is merely a small token of appreciation for your hard work.
Ninomiya stared at the bag for a long time as Kagome and Rinshō exchanged furtive glances. Finally, she adjusted her spectacles and accepted the gift.
“Oh well,” she sighed. “It’s for Lord Sesshōmaru’s wife and Lady Kochō’s daughter-in-law after all.”
When Ninomiya accepted the cakes, Kagome noted she did appear as though she was suppressing her excitement. The Prince’s assistant ushered her into the elevator, up to the third floor and into a spacious office, decorated in varying shades of blue that were chosen specifically for their serenity effect. An oasis of refuge nestled inside a tower made of concrete, steel, and glass.
Kagome was inspecting a massive white board on one of the walls, filled with charts and neatly written notes, evidently a schedule of some sorts. Each row had a time and a location – mostly hospitals and clinics across Tokyo, though she also spotted some in Yokohama, Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagano. She even found a couple in Sapporo and Hakodate.
When Ninomiya came back with a tray of refreshments, Kagome turned and asked: “Ninomiya-san. Is this… Shinsui Inchō’s surgery schedules?”
“Correct,” Ninomiya replied as she carefully placed a cup of steaming hot tea on the coffee table. “It’s incredible, isn’t it? And this is just for the next two weeks.”
“But—“ Kagome did a quick mental calculation. “If these schedules are correct, he must be performing back-to-back surgery for… nearly three-hundred hours?”
“Inchō takes only thirty minutes once a day for rest, and one day off every twelve days. He usually spends that day with Lady Kochō.”
Oh. Kagome’s mind strayed to that time when she saw the Prince for the first time, coming down the stairs at her mother-in-law’s house. He must have had that day off and was about to spend it with Lady Kochō, until she arrived at the house and ruined that plan.
So— not only had she taken his time away from his partner that time, but she was also about to rob him of his nap time today.
Ninomiya left her to wait in peace. Kagome was still studying that very dense, complex schedule when the door to the office opened, and Prince Shinsui walked in.
“Lady Kagome,” he greeted, lips curving into a smile as soon as he laid his eyes on her. If he was surprised to see her, he did not show it. “Good afternoon. What a pleasant surprise.”
Kagome bowed low. “Good afternoon, Inchō. Thank you for seeing me. I'm so sorry to drop in suddenly and take away your nap time."
He chuckled as he went behind his desk and sat down. “Ninomiya likes to call it ‘nap time’ even though I do not spend it napping. It is merely half an hour every day when she forces me to do absolutely nothing. So— please, do not feel sorry. You have rescued me from thirty minutes of boredom.”
“Still, there must be a reason why Ninomiya-san insists on it. And looking at your busy schedule, it is no wonder.”
“Well, since you are here now,” he said pleasantly. “I hope you will tell me how I may be of assistance, Lady Kagome.”
He gestured at one of the two chairs in front of his desk, and Kagome moved to take it.
“I had an appointment with my family doctor earlier to discuss some concerns,” she explained. "But she informed me she could no longer see me as a patient because I am married to a yōkai.”
The Prince nodded in understanding. “She is legally obligated to turn away patients who have declared a relationship with those of yōkai blood. It is the law. Do not think of her too harshly.”
“Why does this law exist?” Kagome asked. “It makes me feel singled out, and not in a good way, for marrying a yōkai. I’m not sure if this brings positivity to the assimilation efforts.”
He smiled gently. “I understand your point. I realize it is not an ideal situation, and it is never our intention to create the feeling of segregation. However, someone in an interspecies relationship will require more extensive care than those who are not. This type of care cannot be provided by just any doctor,” he explained. “You will need a physician who has completed the extensive study into the yōkai physiology, as it can vary extensively from human’s.”
“I see,” Kagome said. “And there is such a shortage for such doctors that the wait time to get one is at least a year?”
The Prince looked apologetic. “Unfortunately, not many doctors have a good grasp on this field,” he admitted. “And considering there are many different breeds of yōkai, each one with our own quirks, the amount of knowledge is vast and complex. This issue of finding general practitioner… it is an ongoing concern, and one we are constantly working to improve.”
“I understand,” Kagome said, biting her lower lip, realizing it might be something no one could help with and she simply had to wait for a doctor to become available.
“Let me see what I can do. I might be able to pull a string or two and get you an appointment sooner than being on the waitlist,” the Prince offered. Then, after a brief hesitation, he said: “It may be extremely challenging to find a female physician. Somehow, there are more female humans going into a relationship with a male yōkai than the other way around. And female patients tend to request a female practitioner. Would you… accept a male doctor?”
Though it would not be Kagome’s first choice, having any doctor preceded her concerns about the gender of said doctor. She was more concerned about how her husband would be handling the news.
“I will take whoever is available, Inchō,” she told him. “I am sure whoever you recommend will more than meet the qualifications.”
He nodded. “Other than the need for a family doctor, is there anything else I can assist you with? You mentioned some concerns, which prompted you to make an appointment with your former doctor.”
“Well, yes… Now that I am married and—“ She paused, trying to find the words that would not make her blush. “And…”
Telling her family doctor of her conditions and concerns was one thing. But telling the Prince, who was closely tied to her husband and mother-in-law, even if he was a professional physician whom she had gone through so much trouble to obtain an audience with, was entirely different.
Fortunately, the Prince was intuitive. He supplied helpfully: “Now that you are married and… sexually active, you would like to ensure everything is in tiptop shape?”
Kagome reddened anyway, but was relieved. She nodded. “Yes, that’s about the gist of it.”
“It is always a good idea to be prepared.” Prince Shinsui smiled, and then he fell quiet for a moment. “But— you seem like a young lady in good health. Is there anything particular that concerns you?”
Kagome folded her hands on her lap. This would be another difficult part. “About two years ago, I had a… a miscarriage. I was admitted to the hospital for it, but I haven't seen any doctors since I was discharged. I just want to check if the miscarriage had left… a lasting effect on my reproductive system.”
“I see. I am sorry to hear you had to go through such a loss. Do you know the cause of the miscarriage?”
“It was—“
It was an accident. I fell down the stairs and hit my stomach on the way down.
She bit her tongue. The old urge to lie about the true cause was still there, but she suppressed it.
“It was physical abuse,” Kagome pushed herself to tell the truth. “The father of the baby was a violent man. I will spare you the details, Inchō, but long story short… after an altercation with him, I miscarried.”
There was a brief flash of emotions before the Prince’s expression smoothed back into its previous composure.
“Do you remember if the doctor at the time performed a D&C?” He asked.
“D&C?” Kagome repeated.
“Dilation and Curettage. It is a simple procedure doctors commonly perform to remove any unwanted tissues that might remain inside the uterus following a miscarriage.”
“No… But they did an ultrasound to confirm I have passed the fetus."
“Was there heavy bleeding after the miscarriage?”
“Yes. For two or three days.”
“Any fever or chills?”
“No.”
“And your menses afterwards — were they regular?”
“Yes.”
He appeared satisfied with her answers. “It seems that everything is as it should be. However, seeing as you are a young lady who recently married, your concerns are perhaps more to ensure any subsequent pregnancies are successful. Am I correct?”
Kagome nodded. “Although I am not ready to get pregnant again now, I want to make sure everything is in good working condition for when the time comes that Sesshōmaru and I want to have a baby together.”
The Prince nodded. He leaned back in his chair and studied her quietly. “Lady Kagome. Has your husband… explained what an inuyōkai mating entails?"
Kagome frowned as she searched her memory for what little information Sesshōmaru had told him once.
“I know it involves a mating bite,” she replied slowly. “By which Sesshōmaru will infuse his yōki into my bloodstream and join our life forces together.”
“Yes, that is certainly a part of it.” He paused in another thoughtful contemplation. “If the goal is for you to eventually become pregnant again, it is best that I perform an in-depth check. Book an appointment with Ninomiya for tomorrow. And— I would like Sesshōmaru to accompany you, please.”
He was giving her an appointment tomorrow when his schedule must be busy already. Was it something urgent? Immediately, Kagome felt her heart lurching in alarm.
“Do you think… there’s something wrong?”
He must have sensed her anxiety, because he looked at her with those azure blue eyes and gave her a smile that was both calming and reassuring. “At this point, I do not see any causes for concern. We will confirm it tomorrow. In any case, my focus is not so much about finding what is wrong, but more about what can be improved.”
Kagome was unsure if it was his steady voice, easy-going demeanour, tranquil aura, or simply his encouraging words, but she felt her tension instantly diminish; all her concerns dissipated.
Pleased to see she had once again relaxed, he turned to his computer and began to type.
“Now, let’s find you a family doctor, shall we?”
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After she concluded her appointment with the Prince, Kagome was surprised to find Rinshō still sitting in the lobby, waiting for her.
“Rinshō, you could’ve returned to the office,” she told him. “I’m perfectly capable of finding my own way back home.”
“I don’t doubt it, my Lady,” the hanyō said, rising to his feet. “But I was wondering… since it’s almost time for Sesshōmaru-sama to finish his day, would you like to meet up with him and go home together?”
Kagome flashed him a surprised look. “Meet up with him… at his office?”
He nodded. “You’ve never been, have you? Wouldn’t you like to see your husband’s workplace?”
To see his office… Truthfully, her interest was piqued.
“Wouldn’t I be… disturbing him?”
“Not disturbing, but perhaps distracting,” Rinshō corrected, grinning. "But— for someone as focused as Sesshōmaru-sama, a little distraction is a good thing. He returned to the office after a four-day break in an excellent mood. The entire office is grateful to you, my Lady. So, whatever it is you are doing, please keep doing it.”
Kagome wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole. Rinshō was a hanyō in possession of elevated senses. Most likely, he was able to detect a change within her after the three-day rut with Sesshōmaru.
She could only pray he would speak no further of it.
Thankfully, the Oni hanyō did not bring it up again as they travelled together to Sesshōmaru’s office building. It was impressive, not that she would expect anything less. Her husband owned the entire building, which occupied a large block in one of Tokyo's most expensive business districts. She had passed by this building many times, even before she met Sesshōmaru at the Omiai. It was recognized as one of the iconic modern structures in a city filled with edgy architecture and design.
As Rinshō brought her up to the fifty-second floor, Kagome's heartbeats accelerated. It would be the first time she visited Sesshōmaru's office and meeting his staff and the people he worked with. There was some pressure to make a good first impression, lest she embarrassed her husband.
Upon exiting the elevator and coming out onto the floor, Kagome saw Sesshōmaru’s staff was a mix of humans and yōkai and everyone in between. The law of glamour was not enforced in workplaces and left to each company’s internal policies. She was not surprised to see his employees wearing minimal glamour, or not at all. Politely, they stepped aside and bowed to her in greeting as she strolled along bright and airy corridors with Rinshō. Although she had never met them before, they seemed to know she was “Shachō’s wife”.
The President’s wife.
“Rinshō,” Kagome whispered when they reached an area where no one could overhear them. “How come everyone knows who I am, even though I have never stepped foot in here before?”
He turned to wink at her. “You’ll see.”
Walking into Sesshōmaru’s private office, Kagome could not contain the admiring sigh at the sight of the wall-to-wall windows lining the long side of the room. Standing in front of the massive glass panes, she could see far into the horizon where she spotted the greyish blue of Tokyo Bay. And Mount Fuji, with its highly recognizable snow cap, was clearly visible when viewed from such height.
She had an inkling her husband despised the feeling of being closed in. All of his houses had an open, airy feel, and floor-to-ceiling windows that allowed a maximum amount of natural light to filter into the space, not to mention breathtaking views. His private office was no exception.
Kagome turned around and inspected the rest of the room. It was a modern space, though not without warm touches, done minimally and tastefully. His desk was so neat and tidy to the point of fastidious.
And then she saw the only two things that could be considered decorations on his desk. Photos of her in frames — gilded and ornate, looking so feminine they looked almost out of place in this masculine environment. One of the photos was a headshot taken at a photo studio. The matchmaker had requested it before their Omiai so it could be included in her file. The other one Kagome had never seen before. In this photo, she was not even looking at the camera. She was wearing a Miko uniform, so it must have been taken at one point while she was still working her part-time job at the shrine.
Her chest clenched with tenderness. How long had Sesshōmaru been displaying her photos at his desk, closest to him as he worked every day? No wonder his staff knew what she looked like. They must have seen her photos here at one point or another.
She spotted other frames on a nearby sideboard, though they did not contain pictures but copies of diplomas. Not Sesshōmaru's, but Rinshō's. Seeing them made Kagome feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Here, Sesshōmaru was like a typical dad, proud of his son’s accolades and accomplishments.
Looking at the collection, it was evident the hanyō had attended some of the best institutions in the world: the University of Tokyo, MIT, Stanford, Cambridge, Caltech, Harvard, Oxford, Nanyang, TU Delft, to name a few. The oldest diploma was dated 1926, and the latest was only a few years ago. All in the field of… Kagome’s eyes nearly burst out of their sockets.
She grabbed one of the frames and turned to Rinshō, who had just entered bearing a tea tray.
“Rinshō. You studied Aerospace and Astronautical Engineering?”
“Ahaha, yes—“ The hanyō scratched the back of his head, looking more bashful than Kagome had ever seen him before. “Sesshōmaru-sama insisted on displaying those, even though I've often asked him to take them down. It's so embarrassing."
“Embarrassing?" She repeated and lifted the frame she held in her hand to show him. “This one says you graduated from a Ph.D. program ten years ago. It’s wonderful. Your grandmother and grandfather would have been so proud.”
Kagome wished she could have hopped back into the feudal era and told Rin and Kohaku what a wonderful grandson they had.
“Your grand aunt and uncle as well,” she added, thinking of Sango and Miroku. “When I first brought my bicycle into the feudal era, it caused a commotion. And here you are now… one step away from making a rocket, a spaceship, or something equally awesome.”
She watched him focusing his attention on pouring her a hot cup of tea, practically mute even when she showered him with praises.
“So— what are you still doing here, making my tea?” Kagome prodded. “Why aren’t you working at Tsukuba Space Centre or somewhere related to JAXA?”
“I was offered a spot in the space program,” he replied. “But I declined it.”
“You declined?! Why?”
Kagome did not know much about Rinshō’s field of study, but she would bet a position at JAXA was a rare opportunity. And while a job as Sesshōmaru's assistant was coveted, his company had nothing to do with space, but with mergers and acquisitions, property developments, and real estate.
“Because—“ Rinshō expression softened. “I don’t like the thought of leaving Sesshōmaru-sama all by himself.”
As though he heard his name mentioned, Sesshōmaru himself strolled in. He had taken off his suit jacket and wore only the crisp white shirt and tie, waistcoat, and the tailored pants, looking handsome and completely at ease in his elements. He must have sensed her in the building earlier because he did not appear surprised to find her in his office. A smile bloomed upon his lips as soon as he saw her.
Then, casually, as though Sesshōmaru had done it every day with the entire office watching from the other side of the glass enclosure, he leaned over and pressed a kiss on her cheek. Warmth suffused her heart, and Kagome blushed. She could feel Rinshō’s teasing leer on her, and practically hear his snicker even though the young hanyō was a silent presence as he gathered some documents and left.
And then, they were alone.
Sesshōmaru pressed a button somewhere to close the blinds at the glass wall that screened his office from the rest of the floor, allowing them some privacy.
“This is a wonderful surprise, Kagome,” he said, approaching her. His large hands found their places on the narrow curves of her waist. “Thank you for stopping by.”
Pleasurable warmth spread in her chest. “You don’t mind?”
“Not at all. It makes me feel… more like a husband,” he said, smiling a little before taking her chin and tilting her face up to gain access to her lips. As he kissed her, she curled her arms around the wide breadth of his chest. Their lips melded together in a slow, unhurried slide. Somehow, his kisses had the power of making her weak in the knees, but his hands on her waist propped her up, supporting her body.
“Is this why you closed the blinds?” She asked, still a little dazed when he released her lips.
He pulled her closer, enveloping her in his embrace and pressing his cheek against the top of her head. “Hn. I did not think you would let me kiss you with my staff ogling us.”
“Were they ogling us?”
He chuckled against her hair. “I felt the stares on my back. But it was nothing more than innocent curiosity, I can assure you.”
“Perhaps I would have let you kiss me anyway,” Kagome replied saucily, running her hands slowly up and down his chest, savouring the feel of his unyielding body beneath the superfine cashmere of his waistcoat. “Though I wouldn’t have enjoyed it quite as much.”
He let out a chuckle and bent down to kiss her again. Even slower this time, moving his lips languidly against hers, teasing her with the tip of his tongue, bringing her body even more flushed against his front.
“Since you are here in the city, is there anywhere you’d like to go to?” He asked afterwards when he had made her breathless again. “Somewhere nice for dinner, perhaps?”
The offer was tempting. It had been ages since she last had a night out in the city. But, even the idea of fun times in downtown Tokyo paled when compared to the thoughts of spending the evening with just him at home. In their cozy, comfortable house.
Kagome shook her head. “Nowhere. Just home, with you.”
She felt his lips curling up against her temple. “Then, we will go home.”
They went out together, treading the corridors to the elevator that would take them to the underground parking where the car was waiting to take them home. His staff bowed with respect, greeting him as he acknowledged them with a nod: “Otsukare-sama, Shachō.”
They also called her “Oku-sama”, a respectful way of referring to a married woman. Kagome nearly blushed at the novelty of the title. Even though they had been married for two months, they had not gone out in public that much. Certainly not enough for her to be in many situations in which she was referred to specifically as Sesshōmaru’s wife. She glanced at him, suddenly understanding what he meant when he told her he felt more like a husband.
“Otsukare-sama, everyone,” she greeted in return. “Thank you for your hard work.”
It was a standard and straightforward greeting, but they seemed incredibly pleased to receive it. Kagome smiled. His office exuded high positive energy any boss would like to see in a workspace. Everyone seemed incredibly busy and occupied, but they appeared happy to be working there.
From a brief observation, Kagome noted that everyone, especially the female staff, was professionally and elegantly dressed. It prompted her to look down at her own outfit. Her ensemble today was not shabby, as she had always strived to focus on quality rather than quantity for the amount of funds she allowed herself to spend, but it certainly could be improved. Sesshōmaru had never uttered any comments or insinuated she was lacking in the way she dressed, but…
If it was his duty to provide her with the comfort and lifestyle she deserved, was it not her duty to put herself together in the manner that befitted her new station and position? All marriages came with their own share of privileges and responsibilities. She had initially thought she was being responsible by not spending his money. Now, she was beginning to realize… by doing that, she had prevented herself from performing her actual responsibilities.
Sesshōmaru had a chauffeur today, and so they both sat comfortably in the back seat while their driver focused his attention on getting the both of them safely home.
“You took a morning shift today, didn’t you?” Sesshōmaru asked as the car began to smoothly glide along the road. “How was your day at work?”
“It was fine,” she said. Which was the truth, even if she had to admit her mind kept wandering home to the greenhouse, to the half-finished orders she left behind on the work table. “It’s just… I kept wishing I was elsewhere.”
She could feel Sesshōmaru’s eyes studying her though he did not comment on her job. He never did — not since the day he brought her to the house in Otsuki for the first time and urged her to quit her two extra jobs. In the end, she left them because their locations were not conducive to her new home. She had planned to find others that were closer, or at least easier to reach with public transport, but then the soap business happened, and she never got around to them.
Perhaps for the better, she thought, since creating her own products filled her with more purpose and a sense of accomplishment than all her jobs combined.
She looked back at him, catching his gaze.
“Sesshōmaru. Is it silly… that I still work at the shop?”
The slight widening of his eyes showed how her question had surprised him.
“It is not silly if you find enjoyment in your job,” he slowly replied. “If the time spent at the store fills you with happiness and satisfaction, if you find your work there rewarding, I do not think it is silly at all.”
“I used to find it rewarding,” she confided. “At least, enough to keep doing it. But then… lately I find myself impatient to get back to the greenhouse.”
“The Queen speaks highly of your products,” he reminded her. "Also, the other ladies who have sampled them all have good things to say.”
She flashed him a look of surprise. “How did you know that?”
“Their mates told me.” He smiled.
“You chatted about my products?” She asked, plain astonishment in her voice. Her soap products.
“Hn. This one does not chat,” he replied haughtily. “It was mentioned in passing several times during meetings and discussions of the yōkai council.”
“I am glad that so many enjoyed the scents I created,” she said.
"It is not just about the scents," he corrected her. “It is also the spells you crafted and infused into the products. Many artisans make soaps, but Kagome, yours are extraordinary. They help others find tranquillity and well-being. Their effects go so much deeper than having a pleasant smell.”
She worried her lower lip in contemplation. “What do you think I should do?”
He smiled gently at her. “Kagome. Only you can decide what you should do. However, this I will say: you have an enviable, highly elusive state called freedom. You are free to do whatever you wish. Not many can boast of such luxury. Not even I, what with an empire of corporations to look after, my roles in the yōkai council, and all the responsibilities attached to my name and titles.”
Freedom.
Kagome had never thought of it that way. She had always been so focused on earning steady paycheques to shave off her debts and maintaining the independence she had cultivated during the two years after the miscarriage. She had failed to see what her new station and position had — and could have — brought her: freedom to rearrange her life. To focus on what she was truly passionate about.
“At the end of the day,” Sesshōmaru continued. “All I care about is that you are fulfilled in whatever you do. It could mean working at the shop. It could mean focusing on your start-up. It could even mean staying at home to oversee the running of the household, or attending school for whichever program you choose.”
School, or higher education, had always been a touchy subject for her, even though she had done well in high school. Somehow, between dealing with the death of her family, trying to take care of the shrine only to lose it a year later, and having to work multiple jobs to pay her debts, she had missed her opportunity to attend university.
Her ex always loved bringing this up whenever he had the chance, never letting her forget for one moment that he was superior to her in all ways, including his education.
She could not help but wonder: what did Sesshōmaru think of her lack of university education? He had sent his foster child to all those prestigious institutions. Was it not an indication of his view upon the matter?
“Do you… by any chance wish I had availed myself to some higher education?” She asked cautiously.
He shot her a look of astonishment. Intuitive as always, he understood straightaway the core of her question.
“Kagome. You do realize I did not attend universities myself. I was trained in the ways of my father and his father before him, but I never received – as you put it – ‘higher education’. Do you think less of me because of it?”
She stared at him, appalled. “No, of course not.”
“Do you think less of the Prince, the Medical Director, who had never attended any schools, let alone a Medical program, or received a diploma from famous universities?”
“No.”
“Lord Raikō and Chiyo, who ran one of the most successful inns in the country, but never stepped foot inside a school?”
“No.”
“What about my mother, or better yet, the Queen, who—“
“Alright! Alright, I get it. I was being ridiculous."
He arched his brow, but he did not contradict her. It irked her a little that he did not, but at some point, she did have to admit: she was being ridiculous indeed. Her concerns were unfounded.
“Kagome. That man abused you emotionally and physically. He attacked you and cost you the life of your unborn child. As if those things are not heinous enough, he diminished your self-worth, and I find it most unacceptable,” he said grimly. “But, Kagome, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent. You asked me to promise you to not hunt him down and kill him, and I abided by your request. But you must also expel him from your life.”
“He is not a part of my life anymore,” Kagome reminded him, somewhat rattled that he would think otherwise.
“Even if it is technically true, the ghost of him lingered inside you. It stays with you every second of every day as you go about your business, thinking you do not deserve more. Even at this moment, he has his claws deep in you still. Every cruel, loathsome, contemptible word he said to you altered your perception of your worth. Now, I must ask you to exorcise him and his influences from your memory, and yourself.”
Again, he made her realize: for all the efforts she put in to get over the miscarriage, she did not see how his words, his hateful words still lived inside her. Eating up her confidence, her joy, and dignity day by day. How much power over her life would she keep on giving him?
She looked up at her husband, at the male who had done so much to take her out of her vale of shadows and heal her wounds. Once again, the sheer disbelief assailed her.
“How is it that someone like you fell in love with someone like me?” She asked, her voice hardly more than a whisper.
Sesshōmaru gazed at her with softened eyes, almost helplessly.
“Even after that heartfelt speech, I see another lesson of self-worth is called for.” He slowly brought his lips to the side of her head, close to the whorl of her ear.
“Kagome. Let me tell you a secret.”
She could not stop herself from inching closer to him. Then, he whispered in her ear, his warm breaths fanning her cheek.
“There is no one like you.”
Her heart stuttered until it stopped completely, and all she could do was close her eyes and lean her head against his shoulder, hiding her face in the crook of his neck. Because sometimes, the feeling in her chest… was simply too much. A little tear escaped from beneath her lashes.
“I’m sorry, Sesshōmaru,” she murmured, her voice roughened by tears. It was so difficult. Her brain and logic knew her merits, but her heart sometimes struggled to believe.
I will try to be better, I promise.
He simply turned his head and kissed her forehead, not feeling the need to ask her what she was sorry for.
“I will keep reminding you until you believe it yourself,” he promised her.
She leaned her head on his shoulder, taking comfort in his strength and solid presence while he had his own head rested on hers. They spent the next few minutes in companionable silence.
“Rinshō went to those fancy institutions because he wanted to go, and it was within my power to grant him those opportunities,” Sesshōmaru spoke. “But it is by no means the only way for anyone to succeed. With that said, if you wish to attend university, I will support you wholeheartedly."
“I saw all his diplomas in your office,” Kagome said, remembering what Rinshō had told her about receiving an offer for a position at JAXA. “Does he—" She paused, searching for a delicate way to urge her husband to encourage the hanyō to pursue his dreams. “Does he not want to apply for a job that suits his field of study?”
“He did once, and was disappointed when he did not get a position at JAXA,” Sesshōmaru said. “And then, he never brought it up anymore. I tried to get him to reapply, but he said he is no longer interested in that field.”
He tsk’d and shook his head. “That boy needs to figure out what he wants to do with his life. If he wants to go back to school for a different major, he should do it sooner than later.”
It was apparent to Kagome that Rinshō had lied to Sesshōmaru about not getting into JAXA, and about losing his passion for his field of study. He likely feigned disinterest so his foster father would not send him away.
“Come to think of it,” Sesshōmaru said, straightening himself to look at her. “He told me earlier he was stepping out to run an errand for you. Did he manage to accomplish it?”
Kagome gave Sesshōmaru an abridged version of her experience at the family doctor’s office and everything that led to her requesting Rinshō’s assistance.
“I didn’t mean to take him away from your service,” she said. “Is that okay?”
“Yes, of course. I should have thought of arranging your appointment with the Prince myself,” he said, looking chastised. Then, he studied her quietly. His hand reached hers, holding it over the cushioned divider between them. “Is everything alright? After the rut?”
Every time she thought about the rut, her cheeks warmed again. Because she was still sore last night, they did not make love. Instead, Sesshōmaru curled up behind her and wrapped his soft pelt around her. It was… lovely, though she did miss the feel of his body on top of her, inside her. Just the smallest bit of memory caused a shiver of pleasure flowed through her.
“As I told you many times, it’s no more than the pains and aches that are to be expected,” she assured him. “The Prince did ask that you accompany me to the appointment tomorrow morning. I didn't have a chance to ask you before I agreed to it. I'm sorry. Will you be able to make it?”
He nodded. “I will ask Rinshō to clear my morning schedule.”
But, even after her words of reassurance, the concern remained in his eyes. “Are you sure you are well, Kagome?”
She squeezed his hand. "I am. If you are still worried, I’m sure the Prince can allay all your concerns tomorrow,” she told him. “But… the whole mission to find a family doctor did make me think about future pregnancy and to… potentially get a prescription for birth control pills.”
She searched his face for any emotions he might convey about the topic, though he kept his mien neutral the entire time.
“Even though I want us to have a family of our own one day, frankly, I don’t feel ready to get pregnant again,” she slowly explained, staring at him uncertainly. “What do you… think?”
He did not hesitate to reply. “Frankly, I was not expecting you to want to get pregnant again so soon. I did tell you on the day after our wedding when you were so troubled that we did not consummate our marriage: we have plenty of time. There is no rush.”
“But, Kagome.” He grazed her cheek. His amber eyes reflected the brilliant lights of the city shining behind him. “Just hearing that you are open to the idea of carrying my pups fills me with happiness and pride. I will strive to be a good sire to our children.”
A little thrill of something achingly delicious coursed through her. She reached up to place a hand on the one he had laid upon her face.
“Sesshōmaru. There is not even an ounce of doubt in my mind that you will be a good father.”
And though he did not show much more emotions than the slight quirk of his lips, the shadow of a smile, she knew he was mightily pleased. Nearly preening inside, perhaps.
Sesshōmaru’s qualifications as a good sire were not in question here. She knew he would be an excellent father. He had proven it with Rin, and then again with Rinshō. It was her own skills and abilities that would be put to the test.
She only hoped that when her second chance arrived, she would be capable of protecting her baby better than she did the first time.
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Author's Notes:
Here you go! Almost 10,000 words of mundanity LOL. Again, nothing dramatic was happening, but I truly enjoyed writing out Kagome's and Sesshomaru's daily lives together. I do hope you all enjoyed it. Thank you so much for reading. Please do leave me a line or two if you have an opportunity!
Until next time~